Surgical stapler buttress applicator with data communication
First Claim
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1. An apparatus, comprising a buttress applier cartridge, wherein the cartridge comprises:
- (i) a housing defining a gap configured to receive a portion of an end effector of a surgical stapler,(ii) a platform, wherein a portion of the platform is exposed in the gap defined by the housing,(iii) a first buttress assembly positioned on the platform, wherein the first buttress assembly is exposed in the gap defined by the housing, and(iv) a data communication feature, wherein the data communication feature is configured to provide communication of data relating to the cartridge;
wherein the data communication feature comprises an environmental condition indicator, wherein the environmental condition indicator is configured to render information indicative of an environmental condition to which the cartridge has been exposed.
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Abstract
A buttress applier cartridge includes a housing, a platform, a buttress assembly, and a data communication feature. The housing defines a gap that is configured to receive a portion of an end effector of a surgical stapler. A portion of the platform is exposed in the gap defined by the housing. The buttress assembly is positioned on the platform. The buttress assembly is exposed in the gap defined by the housing. The data communication feature is configured to provide communication of data relating to the cartridge. The data communication feature may communicate with a complementary data communication feature of the surgical stapler.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising a buttress applier cartridge, wherein the cartridge comprises:
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(i) a housing defining a gap configured to receive a portion of an end effector of a surgical stapler, (ii) a platform, wherein a portion of the platform is exposed in the gap defined by the housing, (iii) a first buttress assembly positioned on the platform, wherein the first buttress assembly is exposed in the gap defined by the housing, and (iv) a data communication feature, wherein the data communication feature is configured to provide communication of data relating to the cartridge; wherein the data communication feature comprises an environmental condition indicator, wherein the environmental condition indicator is configured to render information indicative of an environmental condition to which the cartridge has been exposed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus, comprising:
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(a) a buttress applier cartridge, wherein the cartridge comprises; (i) a housing defining a gap configured to receive a portion of an end effector of a surgical stapler, (ii) a platform, wherein a portion of the platform is exposed in the gap defined by the housing, (iii) a buttress assembly positioned on the platform, wherein the buttress assembly is exposed in the gap defined by the housing, and (iv) a clamp indicator, wherein the clamp indicator is configured to receive a signal indicating an amount of force applied to the buttress assembly and, where the amount of force meets a sufficient force threshold, produce an indication that the amount of force is sufficient; and (b) a stapling instrument, wherein the stapling instrument comprises; (i) a shaft assembly, (ii) an end effector located at a distal end of the shaft assembly, wherein the end effector comprises; (A) an anvil, and (B) a staple cartridge, wherein the anvil is configured to move toward the staple cartridge, wherein the staple cartridge is configured to drive staples toward the anvil, and (iii) a display, wherein the display is configured to render information associated with the cartridge based on one or both of; (A) data communicated form the cartridge to the stapling instrument, or (B) data sensed by one or more sensors in the stapling instrument.
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18. A method of operating a stapling instrument, wherein the method comprises:
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(a) positioning an open end effector of the stapling instrument about a platform of a buttress applier cartridge, wherein the buttress applier cartridge carries at least one buttress assembly; (b) receiving data associated with the cartridge, wherein the data is received through the stapling instrument; (c) closing the end effector to secure the at least one buttress assembly to the end effector; (d) receiving data indicating an amount of force applied to the at least one buttress assembly; (e) tracking an elapsed time during which the end effector is closed; and (f) where both the amount of force meets a sufficient force threshold and the elapsed time meets a time threshold, producing an indication that the end effector is secured. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification